Time for a complaining post. I write a lot of these that never go public as none of us care to listen to someone else belly aching. Probably best to stop reading right here. 🙂
I’ve been doing a bit of wheeling and dealing via the Internet recently. As you know… I’m not much of a people person. With that in mind, dealing with people seems too often leave me shaking my head.
Some fun little examples follow.
Organizations that are selling things and have their inventory listed on their website. When you contact them about a particular piece of advertised equipment, you get the “oh that’s been sold” response. Argh!! Makes me crazy!
I had an email exchange that went exactly like this:
Me: “Hi, I am looking to purchase a used widget in this price range…”
Response: “i am all out of the price point…”
Me: “Ok, I have to then assume the inventory list on your website is not maintained. Could you please notify me via email if you get a widget in please?”
Response: “a widget i do have just not a fisledizit…”
Apparently this fellow cannot read and/or comprehend – I never mentioned “fisledizit” – only a widget. This inability to read/comprehend is at least consistent his complete omission of punctuation and capitalization.
I cannot deal with people like this. It’s like communicating with a Martian. Well… I assume it is, I’ve never actually met or talked to a Martian. I was married once though – to a woman – and that communication is probably similarly difficult… 🙂
Another fun experience is when someone advertises a thing and states “owner financing available.” Then, when you contact them they say: “NO owner financing too much BS.” What?? Well don’t offer it in the advertisement!!! Great Day People!!! Of course, a month later and the ad has still not been updated. That is just lying – bait and switch – as far as I’m concerned.
Another great one. A particular piece of equipment is offered for sale online. The online information is very good, lots of photos, video, etc… I email them and ask one specific question: “Is it still available?” They then respond with “Call me.”
WHAT?!?! WHY!??!
They were doing so well with the whole Internet thing and then “use the phone” – FAIL!
So, I pick up the stinking phone (for which I have a VERY strong dislike) and call. Of course, there is no answer and the answering machine message tells me to call another number…. Ugh.. So, I do that too. Finally, after having to explain what I am looking at, the guy on the other end says: “That equipment has been sold.”
REALLY!?!?! LOTS of wasted time to get an answer to a very simple question. In fact, the original email response could have been reduced to a very simple “no” – 75% fewer characters – think of the time saved for everyone!
My closest friends already know this about me – I despise the phone. I do not know why and I have actually put some real thought into it. The feelings associated with having to use it are very strong. As soon as it rings – chills shoot down my neck. No idea what happened in the past to cause this. Maybe related to being on 24 hour support?? I feel even more strongly about it for business dealings. It completely eliminates the misunderstandings and ‘he said, she said’ routine. Believe it or not, I don’t feel bad about my dislike for the phone. The phone is an idea and technology from the mid-1800’s. We aren’t using much from that era any longer, why can’t we dump the phone?? Progress people, progress!
When I am the customer and I contact you via email about a product or service DO NOT tell me to call or demand my phone number so you can call me. That is ALWAYS the end of the deal for me.
The customer is always right. Right??
Oh boy… people wonder why I’m single…
Or… maybe they don’t wonder any more!! 🙂
All of this may be the reason that I really love the movie “Passengers” (2016). If you haven’t see it – it is one of my favorites. In fact, there is a pattern here, I also love the movie “The Martian” (2015). Interesting – lots of isolation/solitude in both movies. Hmmmm….
Yes , I share your frustration. Very cheap advertising to advertise something you don’t have at a come-on price.
Remember, if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably an internet scam.
Exactly right John! I guess this type of “ethics” issue should not surprise me in this era, but it does. 🙁
Hi Jon
Loved this post! I feel exactly the same way!! I dislike the phone also. I don’t mind talking to SOME people but overall makes me very uncomfortable…and yes! when you email and the response is asking for your phone number or Call ME…that is the end- no deal. Frustration at a new level. I am also not a people person- but am married….hmmm not sure how that happened! Perhaps it is because my mate shares my views. But we DO like you! 🙂
I like you too Nannette! I was hoping you and the other ladies that read my drivel would find my marriage/communication comment something less than offensive. 🙂
I think you get the no phone thing from your parents. 😬
HA!! Now that is VERY FUNNY Amanda!! You could be onto something. My faults are not my fault?!?!?! 🙂
I have experienced just the opposite, no way to get item on internet and a call to a person resolves everything.
Two things. The first is related to your comment above. My faults are definitely not my fault. They are the result of the action or actions of someone else. I am not involved.
Secondly, I don’t believe the problems you are discussing have anything to do with the phone. I think the crux of the matter is that you are having to deal with people. People (like the ones that caused all my faults) are irritating, aggravating and often best to be avoided a lot of the time. Not all the time…………..we don’t want to be too isolated, but just maybe like 85% of the time.
I wonder why we live in a house out in the woods where we can’t see our neighbors? And why do we get such a kick out of boondocking in the desert with no one around?